Yoko Ogawa’s The Memory Police is a dystopian novel set on an unnamed island where the Memory Police disappear things from time to time. The protagonist is a novelist (also unnamed) who lives alone in a house by the river. Both her parents are dead and from as long as she can remember things have … Continue reading Policing Memory – Book Review
Author: Veena Narayan
They Too
Though it was a Sunday all seventy nine of them were at the large auditorium on the dot as if it were a normal working day. They had got up early cooked the promised specials for their families and hung on to crowded city buses resigned to the idea of a thirteen day work week. … Continue reading They Too
Phobias – Common and Rare
Do you remember being embarrassed screeching “Spider!” and letting out a scream that rivalled a diesel locomotive? What is it that causes you to do unreasonable things like jumping onto chairs in the middle of a drawing room conversation or barricading yourself in your room at the sight of a lizard or a millipede? Do … Continue reading Phobias – Common and Rare
How Is Your Kid Intelligent?
No, I didn’t get the title wrong. But before I explain consider this scenario. There was this kid in your class who was considered super intelligent. Reason? He did extremely well in math and science. Or there was this kid who did very well in languages. And she was also considered brainy. Was your … Continue reading How Is Your Kid Intelligent?
Folk Tale – Tolakavi, the Witty Poet
Nothing much is known about Tolakavi the witty poet who lived during the times of Cheraman Perumal Kulasekhara Varma; not even his real name. It is said that Tolakavi’s father passed away soon after his upanayana or sacred thread ceremony. It was the common practice in those days to make the young boy who has … Continue reading Folk Tale – Tolakavi, the Witty Poet
Vignettes From A Literary Festival
From January 30th to February 2nd of this year the well-known Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi conducted the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL). With over three hundred writers participating from different parts of the world and a host of interesting topics for discussion, it was the place to be for people interested in the world of … Continue reading Vignettes From A Literary Festival
Pragmatic Ways To Reduce Screen Time
Once upon a time there was this particularly busy mom of a very active two year old who just couldn’t manage to complete the work she had to in a day. So she did what many of us do – plonked the child on the sofa and switched on the TV. The mother could finish … Continue reading Pragmatic Ways To Reduce Screen Time
Folk Tale – From Princess to Beevi
Two youthful and sport loving princesses of the royal family of Chirakkal (a place in Kerala, in southern India) had gone to have a bath in the river that flowed close to their palace complex. The complex consisted of eighteen nalukettus (traditional houses with a central courtyard open to the sky and having four attached … Continue reading Folk Tale – From Princess to Beevi
Realistic Tips for Rearing Readers
Doubtless, reading has many benefits. Educators, psychologists and behavioural scientists all underline its importance. But one finds that children are increasingly addicted to lighted screens. Given the different ill-effects of being glued to the screen it is our job to get children away from them. But as a parent how do you get your child … Continue reading Realistic Tips for Rearing Readers
Favourite Quotes on Reading
Here are some of my favourite quotes on reading: “Books are uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King. Yes, books are magical and the best thing about them is that you can carry them anywhere and be lost in them; whether you’re travelling or waiting for your turn at the dentist’s. And there is something delicious … Continue reading Favourite Quotes on Reading
